@Joe Riley Off Topic People can be good role models without positive role models in their lives or in their families, but that does make it easier. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Don't gossip and do harm to others. Don't go along with something wrong, regardless of what other people are doing. It's about having and using common sense, decency and manners.
I didn't have good role models except for my Grandmother and I didn't see her often enough TV and films were a definite influence on me - gave me inspiration and hope I would despair if I were younger today
OK, I have to admit that I HATE musicals. Ugh. The only musical I could ever stand was "Grease," because "young John Travolta."
@Beth Gallagher - Surely, you're joking. The tv role Bill Cosby played, Cliff Huxtable, is exactly the same. Still a role model. Still a fictional character.
Actually, I was referring to Bill Cosby, the man... and the face he showed the world. I recall Eddie Murphy saying that Bill had called to chastise him about using so much profanity in his stand-up routine. Bill fooled a lot of people for a very long time. Up until all the "news" in the past couple of years, I had nothing but respect for him.